ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Tourism
2nd G-20 Tourism Working Group Meeting commences in Siliguri tomorrow
This G-20 TWG Meeting to carry message about prospects and potentials of the Northeastern part of India: Secretary, Tourism
Siliguri: March 31, 2023
The three-day 2nd G-20 Tourism Working Group Meeting is going to commence in Siliguri tomorrow. Briefing the media about the event, Shri Arvind Singh, Secertary, Union Ministry of Tourism stated that under India’s G20 Presidency, the Government of India is hosting over 200 meetings in more than 59 cities across the country. These destinations have been chosen to showcase India’s diverse geographical and rich cultural heritage. The Secretary also briefed the media about key priority areas to be discussed during the event, arrangements being made at Siliguri/ Darjeeling, Side Event, Technical visits being planned for G20 delegates etc. Shri Singh said, the main aim behind holding this meeting here is to showcase the typical features of the area, tea ploughing to the foreing delegates as well as to expose the opportunities of the adverture tourism and local art and culture. This will also carry the message about the huge prospects and potentials dominating the region so far as tourism is concerned.
Shri Rakesh Kumar Verma, Addl. Secretary, Union Ministry of Tourism spoke in lenth about the activities of the three day long event. Shri Verma said that the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India along with the support of State of West Bengal and G20 Secretariat is fully prepared to host the 2ndTourism Working Group Meeting. The meeting is to be attended by more than 130 Delegates from the G20 Member Countries, Invitee Countries, and International Organizations along with Tourism Industry partners, State Tourism, and local tour operators.
The Ministry of Tourism is promoting local products of West Bengal by handing souvenirs to Delegates from ODOP list of items like Wooden Owl set from Burdwan District, Dokra GI Hook fish from Bankura District, Banglashree Silk Pocket Square from Malda District and Chitpore Attar from Kalimpong District, he stated.
The introduction was given by Ms Jane Namchu, Additional Director General, Press Information Bureau, Eastern Region, Kolkata.
Ministry of Defence
AHSP Transfer of Pinaka Weapon System from DRDO to DGQA
An important milestone was achieved today on 25 September 2020 when Authority Holding Sealed Particulars  responsibility of Pinaka weapon system was handed over by DRDO to DGQA. AHSP transfer marks successful establishment of production of Pinaka rockets, Launchers, Battery Command Posts, Loader Cum Replenishment and Replenishment Vehicles as well as successful establishment of Quality Assurance processes. AHSP handing over took place at ARDE, Pune wherein the documentation required by various Production agencies, Quality Assurance agencies, Maintenance agencies and Users were formally handed over by ARDE, HEMRL and VRDE to CQA .
Pinaka is a free flight artillery rocket system having a range of 37.5 km. Pinaka rockets are launched from a multi barrel rocket launcher which has capability to launch salvo of 12 rockets in 44 seconds. The weapon system is designed and developed by Pune based DRDO lab, Armament Research & Development Establishment  in association with HEMRL, VRDE and CAIR. Pinaka rockets and its ground systems are currently under bulk production at Ordnance Factories, BEML, BEL, Tata Power and L&T Defence.
Joining the event by video conferencing Dr G Satheesh Reddy, Secretary DD R&D and Chairman DRDO described the AHSP transfer as a landmark event in the development of Pinaka Rocket Systems and stated that the Pinaka Rocket Systems will go a long way in fulfilling the requirement of services.
Lt Gen Sanjay Chauhan, Director General of DGQA, Shri CS Vishwakarma, Chairman OFB, Lt Gen K Ravi Prasad, VSM and Director General of Artillery, Shri PK Mehta, Director General of Armament & Combat Engineering Cluster joined the event through video conferencing. Dr V Venkateswara Rao, Director ARDE, Shri KPS Murthy, Director HEMRL, Shri Sangam Sinha, Director VRDE, Shri AV Shinde, Officiating Controller CQA  and Smt MGP Dhanraj, DDG, Officiating Controller CQA  were present for the event at ARDE.
ABB/Nampi/Rajib
(Visitor Counter : 1992
Ministry of Electronics & IT
Aadhaar based face authentication transactions cross all time high of 10.6 million in May
Aadhaar based face authentication transactions for service delivery are gaining robust momentum with monthly transactions in May touching an all time high of 10.6 million, since its launch in October 2021.
This is the second consecutive month to register more than 10 million face authentication transactions. The number of face authentication transactions is on an upward trajectory and the monthly numbers clocked in May is an increase of 38 per cent, compared with such transactions reported in February 2023, indicative of its growing usage.
The AI/ML based face authentication solution developed in-house by the Unique Identification Authority of India , is now being used by 47 entities, including state government departments, ministries in the central government and some banks.
Among many usages, it’s being used for registering beneficiaries under Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana; for authentication of beneficiaries in the PM Kisan scheme and for generating digital life certificates at home by pensioners. It’s being used for marking staff attendance at several government departments and for opening bank accounts at a few leading banks via their business correspondents.
Among several states, the government of Andhra Pradesh is using Aadhaar based face authentication for Jagananna Vidya Deevena Scheme for fee reimbursement to eligible higher education students and under EBC Nestham scheme for welfare delivery to women from economically backward segments.
Face authentication provide features like ease of usage, faster authentication and it is preferred as an additional modality to strengthen the authentication success rate along with fingerprint and OTP authentications. It captures live images for authentication. It is safe against any video replay attacks and static photo authentication attempts by anti-social elements.
Face authentication is also working as a robust alternative and helping senior citizens and all those who have issues with the quality of their fingerprints due to several reasons including manual work or health issues.
The month of May also saw the UIDAI executing 14.86 million Aadhaar updates following request from residents
Aadhaar e-KYC service continues to play a key role in the banking and non-banking financial services sectors by providing transparent & improved customer experience and helping in ease of doing business. More than 254 million e-KYC transactions were carried out in May alone.
By the end May 2023, the cumulative number of Aadhaar e-KYC transactions has gone past 15.2 billion. Continued adoption of e-KYC is significantly reducing customer acquisition cost of entities like financial institutions, telecom service providers among others.
Whether it is AePS for last mile banking, e-KYC for identity verification, Aadhaar enabled DBT for direct fund transfer or authentications, Aadhaar, the foundation of India’s digital public infrastructure and a tool of good governance, is playing a stellar role in improving Ease of Living for residents.
Ministry of Earth Sciences
Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh says, earlier governments never cared to explore India's vast ocean resources and it is for the first time, after Shri Narendra Modi took over as Prime Minister that there is a serious effort to explore and harness the ocean resources and give priority to the Blue Economy of India.
Goa Ministerial delegation led by Union Minister, Shri Shripad Yesso Naik and State Tourism Minister, Shri Rohan Khaunte along with other senior officials called on Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh at New Delhi.
Union Minister of State  Science & Technology; Minister of State  Earth Sciences; MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh said here today that the earlier governments never cared to explore India's vast ocean resources and it is for the first time, after Narendra Modi took over as Prime Minister that there is a serious effort to explore and harness the ocean resources and give priority to the Blue Economy of India. He recalled the not once but in two of his Independence Day addresses to the nation, PM Modi had referred to the Deep Ocean Mission thus underlining its importance.
Dr Jitendra Singh was talking to a high level Goa official delegation led by Union Minister, Shripad Yesso Naik and Goa State Tourism Minister, Rohan Khaunte. The delegation called on him to discuss the various potential projects to promote tourism and ocean related economy in the State of Goa.
The Tourism Minister of Goa, Rohan Khaunte and his team placed before Dr Jitendra Singh some of the proposals for different schemes under the Ministry of Earth Sciences. While assuring the State Tourism Minister that he would have the proposals examined, the Union Minister said that it is pertinent to mention that only last year, the Government of India through Ministry of Earth Sciences undertook the largest ever coastal clean-up campaign in the world lasting 75 days culminating on 17th September 2022 when the entire coast and 75 beaches particularly earmarked for the campaign were cleaned.
Dr Jitendra Singh also mentioned the need in creating an Ocean Aquarium for which the Tourism Ministry may be taken into cognisance.
The Union Minister further said that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, for the first time the Government of India has started exploring the ocean resources of India which have a huge potential under the Blue economy and provide a tremendous value addition to the Indian Economy over the next 25 years. He added that these ocean resources had never been explored before in the past.
The Union Minister said that the objective of the Blue Economy has been to promote smart, sustainable, and inclusive growth and opportunities within the Indian Ocean region’s maritime economic activities and initiate appropriate programmes for the sustainable harnessing of ocean resources, research, and development.
The State Tourism Minister appreciated the manner in which the Ministry of Earth Sciences has been forthcoming to accommodate the priorities of the State government.
Ministry of Road Transport & Highways
Notification issued for Detailed Accident Report and incorporation of validated mobile number in Certificate of Insurance
Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has issued notification dated 25 Feb 2022 to mandate the procedure for detailed investigation of road accidents, the Detailed Accident Report  and its reporting ,along with timelines for different stakeholders, for quick settlements of claims by the Motor Accident Claim Tribunal . Further, it has mandated incorporation of validated mobile number in the Certificate of Insurance.
Click here to see mandating mobile number and DAR rules
Ministry of Defence
Pay and Allowance to Personnel Posted in Field Areas
The Pay and Allowances of all armed forces personnel are being credited by their respective Pay Accounts Offices into their Bank Account each month, irrespective of their place of posting. These Bank Accounts details are submitted by the Record Office in prescribed bank mandate at the time of their enrolment and kept updated. Now Bank accounts are accessible from anywhere irrespective of the place of opening.
Families of armed forces personnel can access the bank accounts for all purposes as their dependents including additional ATM cards.
Besides above, the provision of FAMO  is also continuing for armed forces who are posted in field areas, to transfer money to their families by the Pay Accounts Offices .
This information was given by Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Shripad Naik in a written reply to Smt Rita Bahuguna Joshi in Lok Sabha today.
Prime Minister's Office
PM remembers Rani Lakshmibai on her Jayanti
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has remembered Rani Lakshmibai on her Jayanti. Shri Modi said that her courage and monumental contribution to our nation can never be forgotten.
The Prime Minister tweeted;
"Remembering Rani Lakshmibai on her Jayanti. Her courage and monumental contribution to our nation can never be forgotten. She is a source of inspiration for her steadfast opposition to colonial rule. Sharing glimpses from my visit to Jhansi on this day last year."
Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas
Shri Dharmendra Pradhan donates one month's salary to PM National Relief Fund
Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas & Steel Shri Dharmendra Pradhan has donated his one month's salary to Prime Minister National Relief Fund for relief work following outbreak of COVID-19. In a Tweet, Shri Pradhan said “In these difficult times, let us stand for those who need us the most. In view of #Covid-19 pandemic, I have donated my one month’s salary and released Rs 1 Crore from my MPLADS fund to PM National Relief Fund to help bring a smile to the underprivileged.”
Ministry of Information & Broadcasting
NFDC ANNOUNCES CALL FOR APPLICATIONS FOR PRODUCTION/CO-PRODUCTION OF FEATURE FILMS IN VARIOUS INDIAN LANGUAGES
National Film Development Corporation Limited  under the scheme of Ministry of Information and Broadcasting , titled ‘Production of films in various Indian languages’ has announced call for applications for funding of feature films. Interested applicants can apply by visiting official website https://nfdcindia.com/apply-now/ and refer the Production Guidelines to fulfil all application requirements. It is mandatory to send the complete application in hard copy to the Mumbai office of National Film Development Corporation, 6th Floor, Discovery of India Building, Dr. Annie Besant Road, Nehru Centre, Worli, Mumbai –400 018, in addition to the above you may also send your application to our Regional Office in New Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai and our branch office in Thiruvananthapuram by visiting https://www.nfdcindia.com/contact-us/ for the postal addresses. You can alsocall in case of urgent queries on 022 66288 288.
NFDC produces & co-produces feature films that reflect the diversity in Indian Cinema, under its extant guidelines for film production.NFDC encourages and promotesfilmmakers by undertaking 100% production of their debut film and also takes on projects as a co-producerto uphold the mandate of producing good content in collaboration with independent filmmakersboth from India and abroad.
The application will remain open until 31st January 2022. For further queries please write to filmproduction@nfdcindia.com
Ministry of Micro,Small & Medium Enterprises
Vice President of India to Launch Khadi India Quiz Contest tomorrow
Vice President of India Shri M Venkaiah Naidu will launch the digital quiz contest called AmritMahotsavWithKhadi in New Delhi tomorrow. The Quiz has been designed by Khadi and Village Industries Commission , to celebrate Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav.
The Quiz Contest seeks to connect the public with the Indian Freedom Struggle, the sacrifices of freedom fighters and the legacy of Khadi since the Pre-Independence era. It comprises questions pertaining to Indian freedom struggle, Khadi’s role in the Swadeshi Movement and Indian polity.
The Quiz contest will run for 15 days, i.e., from 31st August 2021 till 14th September 2021, with 5 questions to be placed across all digital platforms of KVIC every day. To participate in the quiz, one needs to visit https://www.kviconline.gov.in/kvicquiz/. The participants will be required to answer all five questions within 100 seconds. The quiz will start at 11 AM every day and will be accessible for the next 12 hours, i.e., till 11 PM.
Participants giving maximum correct answers in minimum time frame will be declared winner for the day. A total of 21 winners  will be announced every day. In total, Rs 80,000 worth of Khadi India e-coupons will be given to winners each day that can be redeemed at KVIC’s online portal www.khadiindia.gov.in.
Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports
62 sports infrastructure projects of various categories amounting to around Rs. 423 crore sanctioned in the North Eastern Region under Khelo India Scheme: Shri Anurag Thakur
More than Rs. 2400 Crore allocated under Khelo India Scheme since its inception
Key Highlights:
- More than Rs.2400 Crore allocated under Khelo India Scheme since its inception.
- 453 Khelo India Centres have been notified in 359 districts of 28 States/UTs as on date.
- National Sports University established in Imphal, Manipur to promote sports education in the fields of sports sciences, sports technology, sports management, and sports coaching.
For boosting sports participation in the country, including the North Eastern Region and Bhagalpur, the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports implements a number of Schemes aimed at broad-basing of sports and promotion of excellence in sports. As on date, 453 Khelo India Centres have been notified in 359 districts of 28 States/UTs.
Under the Khelo India Scheme, 62 sports infrastructure projects of various categories have been sanctioned in the North Eastern Region amounting to 423.01 crore. Further, the National Sports University has been established in Imphal, Manipur to promote sports education in the fields of sports sciences, sports technology, sports management, and sports coaching. In addition, a North Eastern Regional Centre of Lakshmibai National Institute of Physical Education  is also operational since 2009-10 in Guwahati, Assam.
Under the Khelo India Scheme of the Ministry, 08 Khelo India State Centres of Excellence and 152 Khelo India Centres have been notified in the North Eastern Region. Further, 20 academies have also been accredited and 02 Army Boys Sports Companies are assisted in the North Eastern Region. A total of 217 Khelo India Athletes have been identified from the North Eastern Region. The details of funds allocated and expenditure made under the Khelo India Scheme since its inception aregiven below:

|
|
Year
|
|
Amount Allocated
|
|
Actual Expenditure

|
|
2016-17
|
|
118.10
|
|
118.10
|
|
2017-18
|
|
350.00
|
|
346.99
|
|
2018-19
|
|
375.09
|
|
342.24
|
|
2019-20
|
|
578.00
|
|
575.52
|
|
2020-21
|
|
338.93
|
|
338.93
|
|
2021-22
|
|
657.71
|
|
313.41
This information was given by Minister of Youth Affairs & Sports Shri Anurag Thakur in reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.
Ministry of Defence
INS Tarkash at Lagos, Nigeria
As part of Indian Navy's Overseas Deployment to Africa, Europe and Russia, Indian Naval Ship Tarkash made a port call at Lagos, Nigeria today, on 05 Sep 19 for a three day visit. The port call has been scheduled to celebrate the 60th anniversary of establishing of diplomatic relations between India and Nigeria. INS Tarkash, commanded by Captain Sathish Vasudev, is one of the most potent frontline frigates of the Indian Navy equipped with a versatile range of weapons and sensors. The ship is part of the Indian Navy's Western Fleet and under the Operational Command of Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command, based at Mumbai.
During the port call, various dignitaries and government officials of Nigeria are scheduled to visit the ship. Professional interactions are planned with the Nigerian Navy towards further enhancing co-operation between the two countries. In addition to social engagements and sports events, best practices will also be shared between the two Navies. The ship will also be conducting a Medical Camp along with Nigerian Navy doctors for the local population. Tarkash will also undertake a Passage Exercise at sea with NNS Unity on 08 Sep 19, which will enhance interoperability between both navies.
Nigeria and India have traditionally enjoyed warm and friendly relations, sharing common values of democracy, development and secularism. A number of bilateral arrangements for defence co-operation and cultural exchange exist between the two countries. The Indian Armed Forces also conduct various training courses for personnel of the Nigerian Armed Forces at Defence Training Institutions in India. It is a matter of great pride that the President of Nigeria, H.E. Muhammadu Buhari is an alumnus of the 29th Staff Course from the Defence Services Staff College, Wellington , India and the Chief of the Naval Staff of the Nigerian Navy, Vice Admiral Ibok Ete Ekwe Ibas also underwent ab-initio training with the Indian Navy at Kochi in 1983 - 84.
Indian Navy ships are regularly deployed overseas as part of Indian Navy's mission of building 'bridges of friendship' and strengthening international cooperation with friendly countries.
VM/AC 82/19
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Ministry of Defence
FDI in Defence Sector
The Government vide Press Note No. 4 dated 17.09.2020, has liberalised and allowed FDI under automatic route up to 74% and up to 100% through Government route wherever it is likely to result in access to modern technology. Since the notification of revised FDI policy, the total FDI inflow reported till May, 2022 is approximately Rs. 494 Crores. The Department of Defence Production  has brought in number of Policy reforms for attracting investment:
- Higher multipliers assigned in Offset Policy to attract investment and Transfer of Technology for Defence manufacturing.
- Specific consultations are done regularly with Foreign Original Equipment Manufacturers .
- Two Defence Corridors have been established; one in Tamil Nadu and another in Uttar Pradesh which provide Plug & Play support to the industries including FOEMs in the Corridor. Under the Aerospace & Defence Policy notified by the two State Governments, Customized incentive packages are provided to investors based on investment, employment and project location which may include GST based refunds on sales, Stamp duty concessions on land allotment, Electricity Tax exemption, Capital subsidy and Training subsidy for training workers.
- Webinars are conducted with Friendly Foreign Countries  under the aegis of DDP, Ministry of Defence  through Indian Missions abroad and Industry Associations with active participation from Indian Defence Industries. Webinars have been conducted with 27 FFCs till date.
- Defence Investor Cell has been created to provide all necessary information including addressing queries related to investment opportunities, procedures and regulatory requirements for investment in the sector. 1,445 queries have been addressed by the Cell till date.
This information was given by Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Ajay Bhatt in a written reply to Shri K R Suresh Reddy in Rajya Sabha today.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
COVID-19 UPDATE
184.31 cr vaccine doses have been administered so far under Nationwide Vaccination Drive
India's Active caseload currently stands at 13,672
Active cases stand at 0.03%
Recovery Rate currently at 98.76%
1,918 recoveries in the last 24 hours increases Total Recoveries to
4,24,90,922
1,335 new cases recorded in the last 24 hours
Daily positivity rate 
Weekly Positivity Rate 
78.97 cr Total Tests conducted so far; 6,06,036 tests conducted in the last 24 hours